And Nick said the announcement that comedian Tim Minchin would be performing had really got people excited.

He said: “On the launch evening I did save that announcement until last thinking there would be an extra moment of enthusiasm.

“There has been a lot of interest about Tim Minchin coming to play the festival.

Now Nick has a busy couple of months making sure everything is on track for May 17.

He said: “What I would really like to do is put my feet up until May.

“But there are all sorts of things that need to be organised.

“There are contracts to go through, stage lighting to organise, PA equipment to sort out and ongoing community work.

“We have to make sure everything is set up properly for each event. We also have to make sure the marketing is right and that people know what is happening at the Festival.

“I also have a choir of 1,000 to set up in the next few weeks. The run up to the Festival definitely keeps us all very busy.”

Tickets for the Bury Festival go on sale on Monday at the Festival box office in The Apex. They can also be booked online at www.buryfestival.co.uk, by calling 01284 758000 or by emailing bookings@theapex.co.uk